Creaty long, lazy summer lunches on the verandah or hearty winter midday feasts in front of the roaring fire – all with a dash of French je ne sais quoi. The queen of lunch-table entertainment, Marlene van der Westhuizen beguiles the senses with the likes of refreshing chilled tomato soup and hearty gnocchi with green olives and gorgonzola cream.

Lazy Lunches (Pan Macmillan) sells for around R120 at most good bookstores.